My favorite Christmas film is A Charlie Brown Christmas. This short film packs so many different messages for us. Charlie, as always, struggles with an issue. This time, he struggles with the meaning of Christmas. He seems to be unhappy with all of the commercialism that surrounds Christmas. He’s irritated with his dog Snoopy for decorating his dog house and winning first prize. He’s frustrated with his sister for asking Santa for many things, including $10s and $20s. After being teased by the other children that he can’t do anything right after buying “the wrong tree,” he throws up his hands and asks, “Is there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” At this point Linus steps in and quotes part of the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke.

Christmas is about the birth of Christ. It’s a celebration of our Savior’s birth. Christmas is a time of hope…Hope that is brought to us in a tiny child.

There are times when we can get caught up in the commercialism of Christmas. I’ll admit I get caught up in it from time to time. I try to find the right gifts for people, sometimes forgetting the celebration of Jesus’ birth. And there are times I feel like Charlie Brown. I want to throw my arms up in the air and ask: Does anyone know what Christmas is all about?

Christmas isn’t about finding the perfect gift for someone. We all have received the greatest gift from God in Jesus Christ. Jesus saves us from the powers of sin and death. Jesus is a gift that gives us hope in life after death.

In the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season as we are trying to find gifts for family and friends, attending parties and plays, let us remember the greatest gift given to each of us: Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Pastor Wendy